This Week in European Tour History

José Maria Olazábal

There may not be a tournament this week on The European Tour but history shows it has been a week, in the past, which has been significant for a number of Tour members in terms of their career development.

No-one more so than for the man who currently holds the honour of being captain of the European Ryder Cup team, Spain’s José Maria Olazábal, who won no less than three of his 23 European Tour titles during this week.

The first success for ‘Chema’ came on March 1, 1992 when a closing round of 68 saw him pip fellow countryman José Rivero at El Bosque Golf and Country Club in Valencia to claim his 13th Tour win in the Open Mediterrania.

Two years later, on March 6, 1994, the same tournament once again provided a happy hunting ground for the Spaniard who picked up his 15th Tour title at Villa Martin in Torrevieja, this time having to go to the second hole of a sudden-death play-off to see off Ireland’s Paul McGinley after both men had finished tied on 12 under par 276.

Finally, four years later in 1998, it was a successful return to March 1 for Olazábal who capped one of the greatest comebacks in the world of golf with his victory in that season’s Dubai Desert Classic.

Two years earlier, the Spaniard did not know if he would ever walk again, never mind win a golf tournament. The previous year he had chosen Dubai as the starting point for his fightback from a crippling foot injury which threatened his career and, twelve months on he won in fine style at the Emirates Golf Club, four rounds in the 60s seeing him finish three shots clear of the field.

The first week of March has also been bountiful for former European Ryder Cup Captains Ian Woosnam and Mark James.

Welshman Woosnam won the Mediterranean Open over three rounds at Las Brisas on March 4, 1990 while, the following year, on March 3, 1991, he retained the title at Golf D’Esterel in France with a best of day 67; while on March 5, 1989 James marked The European Tour’s first visit to the desert with a play-off victory in the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic over Australia’s Peter O’Malley.

While the above victories augmented already successful careers on The European Tour, this week in history also proved a starting point for three players to win their first tournaments on the schedule: Scotsmen Andrew Oldcorn in the Open de Andalucia on February 28 1993 and Paul Lawrie in the Open Catalonia on March 3 1996 – while March 2 1997 saw Richard Green triumph in the Dubai Desert Classic, beating Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in a play-off.

European Tour - Disciplinary Hearing

At a Disciplinary Hearing of The European Tour Tournament Committee in Abu Dhabi on January 18, 2011, the Committee unanimously found that Elliot Saltman had committed a serious breach of the 2010 Challenge Tour Members Regulation F 1 (b) 6 (Rules of Golf) during the first round of the M2M Russian Challenge Cup on September 16 2010 at Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club, Moscow, Russia.

It was the finding of the Tournament Committee that Elliot Saltman, who was disqualified from the M2M Russian Challenge Cup, be suspended from participating in all European Tour and Challenge Tour sanctioned tournaments for a period of three months, starting on January 19, 2011.

Under Challenge Tour regulations Elliot Saltman, who attended the Disciplinary Hearing in Abu Dhabi, has the right to lodge an appeal before the Board of The European Tour. This appeal must be lodged within 28 days.

Hoey and Lawrie Irish Leaders

 Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images Europe

Michael Hoey and Peter Lawrie were amongst the early starters at the Czech Open on day one and both at one point were only two shots off the tournament leader Shiv Kapur of India. But as the round progressed they both fell back to 2 under and Kapur ended the day with a score of six under.

Shiv Kapur fired six successive birdies to set the standard at the Prosper Golf Resort with and Peter Hanson just one stroke back as the Swede tries to strengthen his Ryder Cup aspirations.

Kapur made his burst from the second to seventh holes to establish gain the early initiative at Prosper Golf Resort in Čeladná and, although he began the back nine with two bogeys in a row, birdies on the 16th and 18th helped him card a six under par 66 to set the pace.

The 28 year old Indian, who lost in a play-off to Richie Ramsay in the South African Open Championship earlier this season, boasts a one shot cushion over Argentinean Tano Goya, whose 67 included six birdies and a bogey, and Ryder Cup hopeful Hanson.

Goya continued his own affinity with Prosper Golf Resort after leading in the first round last year, while England’s Richard Bland shares third spot on four under par with Frenchman Julien Guerrier.

Five players were a shot further back: Australian Rick Kulacz’s 69 featured an eagle on the par five seventh, while José Manuel Lara, Scott Hend, Richard Finch and Clodomiro Carranza remain well placed after a largely profitable first day.

Ireland’s Peter Lawrie bogeyed the 18th to slip to two under par, one of 15 players who shot 70s.

Simon Dyson was among them, like Hanson having shaken off jet lag to boost his own Ryder Cup hopes with four closing birdies.

On Sunday the Englishman shared 12th place in the US PGA Championship, then flew back from Chicago on Monday night, caught another flight to Prague and took a train to Ostrava.

Dyson is 16th in the race for a place in the European Ryder Cup Team with only one week to go, and is keen to build on a promising first round.

Damien McGrane dropped three shots early on the front nine and finished two over for the day after a signing for a 74.

Gary Murphy went five over par after nine holes but recovered to finish with a 74 on 2 over.

Simon Thornton also signed for a 74 for a share of 69th place.

Shane Lowry finished 3 over par with a 75.

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Irish To Czech Jimenez Course

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Following a two week break following the 3 Irish Open in Killarney it’s back to the day job for Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey, Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy this week as they compete in the Czech Open at the Prosper Golf Resort.

Michael Hoey looks like the Irish player in the best form following his seventh place finish in Killarney and joins the fray with a handful of players chasing a result in their quest for valuable Ryder Cup points in this penultimate qualifying event. 

One of those is Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain who is currently eighth in the European Ryder Cup standings and looking to seal a fourth Ryder Cup appearance. Having co-designed the course it might prove an advantage as he needs a good week in the Czech Republic as he is not currently planning to travel to Gleneagles in the final qualifying event. 

Jiménez designed the two hilly courses at Prosper Golf Resort in Čeladná, which opened in 2001 and 2003 respectively, with accuracy in mind as narrow tree-lined fairways are typical. Both the Old Course and the New Course are cocooned within the Beskydy Mountains, offering stunning views. This year’s Czech Open will be played over a composite of the two courses, taking nine holes from each. 

“They are very natural golf courses and they make you think,” added Jiménez. “The key is being very straight off the tee. You need to also be very good with the short game. I am proud to have co-designed this with the owner. It is the only course I have designed which hosts European Tour competition and I am looking forward to playing a tournament there for the second time.” 

Last season Sweden’s Oskar Henningsson claimed his first European Tour title in Prosper coming from five shots off the lead at the halfway stage to take the title by three shots. 

With his win Henningsson became the 31st player to graduate from the Qualifying School and post a win the following season, as well as only the third player behind Gordon Brand Jnr and José Maria Olazábal to triumph the season after winning the Final Stage itself which he did at PGA Golf Catalunya in November 2008.

Ross McGowan, 11th in the European Points List, Peter Hanson in 15th position and Oliver Wilson in 18th are in a similar situation, knowing that victory or a high finish could propel them into the Ryder Cup reckoning heading into the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final event of the year- long Ryder Cup qualifying campaign.

BMW PGA Championship winner Simon Khan will hope to add another victory to his CV when he tees it up in the Czech Open 2010. The Englishman will be part of the field for the €2million event from August 19th – 22nd

After winning Qualifying School last November, Khan captured the biggest prize of his career winning The European Tour's flagship event in May. 

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Walton Invited to Three Irish Open

[Photo : INPHO]

Philip Walton returns to European Tour action in ten days having benefited from a sponsors invite for the 3 Irish Open at Killarney Hotel and Fishing Club which will tee off on Thursday July 29th. 

The three time European Tour winner returns to Killarney nineteen years after securing a share of seventh place finish in 1991 when Sir Nick Faldo won the second of his three Irish Open titles at the Kerry venue.

It was twenty one years ago when the 1995 Ryder Cup hero came closest to matching John O’Leary’s 1982 victory having earned a play off against Ian Woosnam at Portmarnock Golf club in 1989.

“I remember having to play the crowd more than Philip in the play off holes” said Ian Woosnam recently at the Panda Irish Seniors at Carton House, “He was a local hero even then and the crowd were there in large numbers to cheer him on – and I could feel that pressure.”

Having finished level with Woosnam on 10 under par the Malahide man lost out when the Welshman carded a birdie on the first play-off hole on the 18th green.

Padraig Harrington eventually took over the mantle from John O'Leary winning the Irish Open at Adare Manor in 2007. This was followed by Shane Lowry last year at the 3 Irish Open at the County Louth Golf Club in Baltray.

“It’s great to get the chance to return to Killarney once again and I am delighted with the opportunity the sponsor have given me,” explained Walton on hearing the news, “I was told there was an outside chance this year but didn’t want to get ahead of myself – so really delighted it has been confirmed. All the work I have been doing recently has proven worthwhile.”

“Over the last few weeks it has made me play the last few Irish PGA events with more focus and my scores haven’t been too bad either as I am striking the ball well at the moment.”

“So unlike some other years perhaps, I’m looking forward to the event this year because I feel better prepared and grateful for the opportunity to play the Irish Open once again.”

Over the past ten years Philip Walton’s best finish at the Irish Open was in 2000 when he ended in ten way tie for 10th place in a group that included Angel Cabrera, Bernhard Langer, Sergio Garcia, Jose-Maria Olazabal, Adam Scott and Jarmo Sandelin.

Since then though Walton has missed the cut five times including last year’s event at the 3 Irish Open at Baltray.

In 2008 Walton did not participate when he qualified for The Open Championship at Carnoustie.
 

Clarke Extends Lead in Scotland

Darren Clarke missed out on the International Qualifying at Sunningdale in early June for The Open Championship and has made a top five finish at the Barclay’s Scottish Open this week his objective as it will ensure him a place at St Andrew’s next week.

Clarke posted a four shot lead in the club house on 10 under after a second round 67 in wet conditions at Loch Lomond on a day that Phil Mickelson missed the cut along with Camillo Villegas.

Clarke, one ahead overnight, three-putted the short 11th - his second of the day - but birdied two of the next five holes and then in pouring rain picked up three more shots at the start of the front nine.

They took the 40 year old to ten under par and kept him on course not only for a first victory in two years, but also for a place in next week's Open Championship at St Andrews.

Welshman Bradley Dredge and Swede Peter Hedblom were in the clubhouse on six under and they were joined in second place when Italian Edoardo Molinari, whose brother Francesco was also going well, birdied the fourth hole of his second round.

Clarke said of his round:

"That was more satisfying than yesterday because it was tougher. We were all surprised that there was no placing and the course was playing brutally long. It was one of those days where you've got to take what the course was giving you and grind out a score.

"It's two rounds now and I've consolidated my position. I'm going into the weekend probably a little bit nervous, but excited at the same time."

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Clarke Takes Adare Form to Scotland

Darren Clarke leads The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on day one after a six under par 65 clearly focussed on his last chance to qualify for The Open Championship next week. 

The Ryder Cup hero will return in the morning a stroke ahead of England's Graeme Storm, Ireland's Damien McGrane – who made the turn in 31 shots -and Italian Edoardo Molina all on 5 under. 

Clarke did not drop a shot all day, collecting four birdies in six holes from the third, making further birdies at the 13th and 14th and then saving par from a greenside bunker on the last during a torrential downpour. 

Shane Lowry is 3 under after day one following a round of 68. 

Peter Lawrie signed for a 70 and is one shot further back on 2 under. 

Graeme McDowell, returning to European Tour life three weeks after his US Open Championship triumph, trails by six after what he described as a "mixed bag". 

2010 US Masters champion Phil Mickelson is on the same level par mark as he began his bid for the top two finish which would take him to World Number One for the first time. 

McDowell warned people not to expect great things from him after so much celebrating, but closing with two birdies means a third successive win - he lifted The Celtic Manor Wales Open before heading to Pebble Beach - cannot be ruled out yet. 

Gareth Maybin is also level par after his round of 72. 

Korea's Y E Yang, the third current Major Champion in the tournament, returned a 72. 

18 year old Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa shot 67 and is in a group tied for fifth which also includes 1995 Open Championship winner John Daly. 

For a while Omega Mission Hills World Cup-winning brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari were tied at the top, but Francesco bogeyed the last two for a 68. 

Paul McGinley and Michael Hoey are on 3 over 

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Mickelson Seeks No. 1 Spot in Scotland

[Photo: European Tour]

US Open Winner Graeme McDowell leads a group of eight players scheduled to compete in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond later this week many of whom arrive after playing the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor on Monday and Tuesday. 

Graeme McDowell won the Scottish event in 2008 and will join World Number Two, Phil Mickelson, who went close to claiming the title on his debut in 2007 before eventually losing out in a play-off to Frenchman Grégory Havret, and World Number Six Ernie Els. 

Mickelson will become World Number One if he wins or finishes outright second at the Barclays Scottish Open said: 

“Everything about the tournament, from the sponsors, to the golf course and the stunning setting at Loch Lomond is as good as it gets in golf. I would love to add The Barclays Scottish Open to my list of career wins: to be successful in Scotland, the home of golf, is something that every player would love to have on his resumé and I am no different.” 

The European contingent is headed by defending champion Martin Kaymer who is aiming to be the first player in the tournament’s illustrious history to win back-to-back. 

Also headlining for Europe will be the winner of last week’s Alstom Open de France, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Thomas Björn, Alvaro Quiros, Ross Fisher, Rhys Davies and brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari. 

Joining Mickelson from the USA is Lucas Glover and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas, with former Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, Fred Funk, Steve Marino, John Daly and JB Holmes. 

Australian Robert Allenby brings his undoubted talents with Korea’s Y E Yang, winner of the 2009 US PGA Championship, three time Major Champion Vijay Singh of Fiji, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and the precocious talent of Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa also in the mix.

The South African field includes Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman along with the emerging talents of Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. 

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El Mecanico Wins Paris after Play Off

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Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain became the oldest-ever winner of continental Europe's oldest golf title in Paris - but only after a dramatic three-man play-off. The 46 year old Spaniard captured the Alstom Open de France at Le Golf National by beating compatriot Alejandro Cañizares and Italian Francesco Molinari in sudden death after he had gone in the water when two clear on the final hole of regulation play. 

"The 72nd hole, last hole of the tournament, I hit a beautiful drive there," explained The Ryder Cup star. "My eight iron, 141 metres to the front and 146 metres to the hole - I feel a little pressure there, and the only thing I need to do is hit a good shot. 

"But we are human, I made the shot, I hit the shot behind and I feel like I lose my rhythm, like the pressure is getting to me. I hit the ball a little bit behind and hit into the water and that's what happened there. That's probably the very bad shot I hit all day." 

Jiménez had his second chance when Cañizares went twice into the same lake at the first extra hole and Molinari, bunkered off the tee, was forced to lay up on the par four. 

Five months after beating Lee Westwood in a play-off in Dubai, Jiménez still had work to do when he missed the green, but a 15 footer gave him the crown after Molinari had holed from 18 feet for bogey. 

The first prize of €500,000 lifts the pony-tailed Malaga golfer all the way from 17th to fifth in The Ryder Cup race - the same position Molinari would have taken if he had won. 

"It will be nice to be on The Ryder Cup," he added. "At 46, probably this is my last chance to be on the team playing. But I would be very proud to be on Monty's team." 

Amazingly, ten of Jiménez's 17 European Tour victories have come since he turned 40 - that is a record - and he now becomes the eighth oldest champion in European Tour history. 

"Experience is always important," admitted Jiménez. "These two guys are playing very well – 

The compensation for Cañizares was that he qualifies for The Open Championship at St Andrews as the leading non-exempt player in the event. 

Molinari added: "I fought as hard as I could, but Miguel, I think he deserved to win today." 

Earlier Jiménez came bursting out of the pack with five successive birdies in six holes from the 11th to be two clear. 

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy would have been in the play-off as well if he had converted a 12 foot chance at the 18th, but it stayed above the hole and he had to be content with fourth. 

After signing for a 66 the 21 year old, four behind at the start, said: "I gave it a good go. I hit the last putt exactly where I wanted, but it didn't come down. 

"I can take a lot from this. I'm hitting it great and giving myself plenty of chances. I can't wait for The Open." 

As for defending champion and overnight leader Martin Kaymer, he finished four back in joint sixth after double bogeys at the 15th and 18th. 

Damien McGrane carded a 66 on day three of the Alstom Open de France to go into the final day 7 under and two shots off the leader Martin Kaymer of Germany at Le National Golf near Paris. 

McGrane is in a share of fourth pace overnight in a group that includes Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, Luke Donald of England and Franceso Molinari of Italy. 

Defending champion Martin Kaymer completed a fantastic day for German sport by establishing a one shot lead going into the final round at the Alstom Open de France after his country's footballers beat Argentina to reach the World Cup semi-finals. 

A final round of 69 secured a tie for 11th place for Michael Hoey along with Damien McGrane to end up on 6 under. 

Gareth Maybin shot a two under par 70- which included an enagle of the 3rd hole - to finish on 2 under. 

Peter Lawrie signed for a final round of 71 to remain level par for the tournament.

Nine Irish Play Open de France

Simon Thornton

Fresh from his trip to the US Open and his engagement in Pebble Beach, Gareth Maybin returns to golfing action at the Alstom Open de France this week and will be joined by Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Michael Hoey.

Simon Thornton of Team Ireland also secures a place in France after his 9^th place finish at the BMW International Open on Sunday – the best result yet in his Rookie season.

Four players from the world’s top ten - Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy – lead a world-class field attempting to wrest the Alstom Open de France title from Germany’s Martin Kaymer in Versailles this week.

Europe’s leading players will be joined by Major Champions Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Michael Campbell of New Zealand, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy and Spain’s José Maria Olazábal, competing for the first time since October, all of whom will bring their considerable experience to bear at Le Golf National in the oldest continental Open.

Last summer Kaymer was unbeatable in a glorious two week spell as he followed his victory in the Alstom Open de France by success in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. He has subsequently added a fifth European Tour title to his growing CV by winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January and the 25 year old will return to Le Golf National fuelled by the fond memories of 12 months ago.

The German defeated Westwood at the first extra hole of a play-off, after they tied on 13 under par – three shots clear of third placed Poulter - to secure the oldest National Open in continental Europe over Le Golf National.

There will be plenty of players looking to spoil the Kaymer family party in Versailles, including last week’s BMW International Open champion David Horsey of England, as well as the man who finished in a tie for third last week, the 2008 Alstom Open de France winner Pablo Larrazabal of Spain.

There is also the welcome return of Olazábal to competitive action.

The two-time Masters Champion has not played since the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar last October as he battles rheumatic pains. He has been seen only in Pro-Ams since then, winning the one on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, but looks set to feature after making good progress recently.

Olazabal Returns to Action in France

Twice Masters Tournament champion José Maria Olazábal finally looks set for his first tournament since last October.

Olazábal, who has been battling rheumatic pains for years, has entered next week's Alstom Open de France in Paris and manager Sergio Gomez said: "He really wants to be there.

"He still can't practise as much as he would like to, but he feels he is progressing. He is much better than two or three months ago and, as he said to me, he is enjoying golf again."

The 44 year old Spaniard, who had 18 months out of the game in the mid-1990s and feared a future in a wheelchair then, played only seven European Tour events three seasons ago and just six in 2008.

Olazábal managed 16 last year and finished 14th in the Castello Masters Costa Azahar eight months ago, but has been seen only in pro-ams since then. He finished first in the one on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.

McDowell Wins Wales on 2010

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland sealed an impressive victory at the Celtic Manor Wales Open on Sunday with an eight under par round 63 to hold off the challenge of local Welsh Wizard, Rhys Davies - who set a new course record of 62 twenty four hours after Marc Warren carded 63 on Saturday - on the Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course.

Rhys Davies carded a nine under par round - with two eagles - to set the pace a few groups ahead of McDowell. But the Portrush man was playing sublime golf with birdies on eight of the first eleven holes finishing the remainder in regulation to notch up his fifth European Tour title by three shots.

Luke Donald of England added a third consecutive week in Europe of top class golf by adding a 3rd place in Wales to the victory at the Madrid Masterrs last week and the second place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the weekend prior.

Overnight leader Marcel Siem (74) fell back to 8 under as he battled the course in the final pairing alongside Thomas Bjorn (74) of Denmark – who finished 5 under.

Peter Lawrie was the next best Irish player having birdied holes 2 and 6 to go four under after 11 holes. But a double bogey on the par four 14th hole gave him a two over par back nine and a tie for 20th place on -2.

Damien McGrane joins Lawrie after making the turn in 37 he picked up four birdies on 11,12, 14 and 15 only to double bogey on the 17th to end the day level par and remain 2 under.

Gareth Maybin carded a three under par round to sign for a 69 and finished 1 under overall in a share of 27th place.

Shane Lowry bogeyed the fourth, the 14th and 16th end the tournament on 2 over with not one birdie on the final day.

Darren Clarke reached the halfway level par and then dropped two shots on the back nine to finish two over for the tournament.

Simon Thornton signed for a two over par 73 after carding a double bogey on the par four 6th hole to end the week on 5 over.

Interview with Graeme McDowell

Donald Seizes Madrid Masters

Luke Donald of England won his first European Tour event for six years at the Madrid Masters after he held off the challenge from Rhys Davies with an eagle on the 16th to go to 21 under at the Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club De Campo on Sunday.

The English World Number 13 - second in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club last week - carded a final round 67 to remain one clear of Davies who won earlier in the Season in Morocco.

Italy's Francesco Molinari was third place on 18 under.

Graeme McDowell finished as the top Irish player at the Madrid Masters after a round of 65 finishing four shots adrift of the winner in forutjh pl;ace on 17 under. After carding 5 birdies on the front nine and dropping only one shot McDowell made the turn in 32. He then added birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th holes. Then it dried up and for the last four holes he was level par signing for a 7 under par round of 65.

Peter Lawrie also made the turn in 32 shots and with two more birdies on holes 10 and 13 moved up the leader board after his round of 68. The Dubliner's only bogey was a tap in putt at the 18th - which he missed - leaving him on 13 under in a tie for 6th place.

Damien McGrane birdied the 3rd and 10th holes but also carded a double bogey on the 7th to make the halfway turn in 37. His round of 72 for the day kept with a total of 7 under.

Shane Lowry dropped three shots after carding six birdies to finish on 3 under for the final round and a 6 under total along with Paul McGinley.

McGinley dropped one shot on the front nine and then carded four birdies to make the turn in 33. But four dropped shots on the back nine – including a double bogey on the 17th - brought him back level for a 6 under overall.

Alvaro Quiros was the leading Spanish player on 11 under and had a disappointing final round of 74.

Eight Irish Contest Madrid Masters

Originally there were 9 Irish players down to play the next leg of the European Tour in Spain at the Madrid Masters which tees off on Thursday, May 27th at the Real Sociedad Club de Hípica Club de Campo. For some of the Irish players it may come too soon after 36 holes of qualification for US Open, which took place at Walton Heath on Monday, following a tough week’s work at the newly designed West Course at the BMW PGA Championship.

Dungannon’s Darren Clarke missed the cut at Wentworth last Friday and also failed to qualify for the US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links and as result of his round on Monday has decided to drop out of the Madrid event given his poor form.

Dubliners Paul McGinley and Peter Lawrie; Clara man Shane Lowry; Graeme McDowell from Portrush; Damien McGrane of Kells; Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin; Simon Thornton of Newcastle, County Down and Kilkenny man, Gary Murphy are all still down to play.

All but Maybin come with a point to prove as the Northern Ireland man is having a strong season adding Pebble Beach to his schedule after a round of 65 on Monday afternoon in the Qualifier.

Paul McGinley is still hurting after his round at Wentworth where he felt he deserved a better return for his efforts.

On his return to Spain Peter Lawrie is looking to repeat the form of 2008 when won the Open de España in Sevilla.

Graeme McDowell is under less pressure having remained in the top 50 after some favourable results at the weekend allows him automatic qualification for the US Open.

This season Gareth Maybin has been in the running in the BMW Italian Open and the Mallorca Open with a second place at the Ballantine's Championship in Korea guaranteeing automatic qualification for next season he can play with a more relaxed outlook this week.

Not the same for Simon Thornton who returns to action after withdrawing in Mallorca due to a back injury where he added a third missed cut in as many tournaments. Although benefiting last week from the First Re-Rank of the season Thornton has slipped down the overall rankings and is entering the business end of the season.

For Gary Murphy the season is proving a test as he works to find the form that can secure an automatic exemption for the 2011 season. Having also played at the US Open qualifier without success the pressure is mounting on Murphy having amassed a list of missed cuts in the early part of the season.

For Englishman Ross McGowan it will be his chance to defend the title as he returns to the Madrid Masters this week.

Sergio Garcia returns to action for the first time on The European Tour since playing the Masters Tournament last month. The Spaniard has made limited appearances this year, but good performances in the WGC-Accenture Match Play, where he was fourth, and at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy mean he is currently 19th in The Race to Dubai.

He will be joined by Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jiménez – already winners on the 2010 season at the Open de España and Omega Dubai Desert Classic respectively – plus Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, whose company GFC Golf & Business are promoters of the tournament.

The event will be hosted on the Real Sociedad de Hípica Club de Campo North Course, designed by American Robert Von Hagge. The club also hosted the 2007 Madrid Open, which was won by Denmark’s Mads Vibe-Hastrup.

Gareth Maybin Qualifies for US Open

A sensational afternoon round of 65 saw England’s James Morrison come out on top at the US Open Qualifier at Walton Heath. Morrison, who claimed his maiden European Tour title in Madeira earlier in the season, will feature in his first Major Championship when he heads to Pebble Beach next month.

The youngster from Surrey finished on 11 under par, two shots clear of Argentina’s Rafael Echenique and a further shot clear of England’s Gary Boyd, Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Wales’ Rhys Davies and Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin.

The remaining five slots were decided by a play-off between Grégory Havret, Miko Ilonen, Simon Khan, Rikard Karlberg, Jean-François Lucquin and Pablo Martin. Simon Khan the winner of the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday was the man to miss out in the end.

Morrison was joined in the automatic qualification places by two of his fellow graduates from the 2009 Challenge Tour in Boyd and Davies, whilst Cabrera-Bello, Echenique and Maybin also secured their places on the top tier through the Challenge Tour in previous years.

Maybin’s round of 65 was the joint lowest of the afternoon, although his effort was perhaps the more impressive given that he was playing the tougher Old Course.

The Ballyclare man said: “I played poorly this morning, but I changed my driver for the second round, and it seemed to do the job. It was one of my better decisions on a golf course. One of my goals at the start of the season was to get into a Major, so I’m pretty pleased I managed to accomplish it.”

The other Irish players at Walton Heath, Darren Clarke (74 & 72), Shane Lowry (71 & 69), Peter Lawrie (73 & 75) and Gary Murphy (73 & 72) all failed to earn a place at Pebble Beach next month.

The top six will be making their US Open debuts, as will Karlberg, who claimed his maiden professional title on the Asian Tour earlier in the season.

For Khan though the news is not all bad as he might still earn a place in the second major of the year as the first reserve from the course.

The US Open will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 14 - 20th, 2010

Simon Khan Secures BMW PGA Championship

Simon Khan carded a final round 66 to win the BMW PGA Championship on the redesigned West Course at the Wentworth Club on Sunday only months after regaining is card at Qualifying School to take the €750,000 winners cheque. Equally important is the five-year exemption on The European Tour and a place at this years Open in St Andrews.

Luke Donald of England was second in a tie with Fredrik Andersson Hed of Sweden.

Padraig Harrington signed for a one over par 72 having made the turn in level par but dropping a shot on the back nine to come in on 3 under for the tournament and the best of the Irish challengers. Harrington finished in a tie for 6th alongside Danny Willett and Robert Karlsson.

Paul McGinley had a level par round reaching the halfway one under and then dropping a shot on the back nine to finish two over for the event.

Damien McGrane was two under at the turn but then carded bogeys on 15 and 16 to go one under for the day and 2 over for the tournament.

Graeme McDowell was two over one under for the day despite an eagle on the 17th. But a round with seven bogeys proved costly and he finished with a 3 over total.

Gareth Maybin carded two birdies early to finish the front nine in 33 completing the day one over with a 69 and finish 3 over.

Rory McIlroy was two over par for the day having lost momentum early with a double bogey on the 3rd hole. He ended the BMW PGA Championship on 5 over.

Peter Lawrie double bogeyed the 15th to card 39 on the back nine having made the turn in 33 to end the final round one over par and 6 over for the tournament.

Shane Lowry finished 4 over par on the final day with a 75 to sign for 8 over total. A triple bogey on the 8th the biggest setback for the winner of last year's 3 Irish Open.